U-bolt connector



Sept. 4, 1951 E, HOADLEY I 2,566,725

U-BOLT CONNECTOR Filed Feb. 4, 1948 2 sheat s-Sheet l p 9 11951 H. E. HOADLEY 566 725 U-BOLT CONNECTOR Filed Feb. 4, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 H llH 1 Patented Sept. 4, 1951 U-BOLT' CONNECTOR Herbert. E. Hoadley, Joplin, Mo., assignor toA, B.

Chance. Company, Centralia, Mo., a corporation.

of Missouri Application February 4, 1948', Serial. No. 6,119"

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to U-bolt connectors, and is particularly concerned with the provision of an improved U-bolt connector which is adapted to be manipulated by means of an elongated insulated pole, so that it may be utilizedfor connecting or clamping two electrical conductors together even though they may be energized from a. source of high voltage.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of an improved U-bolt connector of the class described, which has all of its component parts so mounted that the U-bolt connector can be applied easily, more quickly and more safely, with less liability of the dropping of parts while handling so that it may be. utilized with safety in connecting wires which are energized with high voltage. 1

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved U.-bolt and tool assembly, by means of which such a U-bolt may be handled and applied to high tension wires by utilizing an elongated insulated pole such as, for example, a. universal pole of the type having a flanged fitting at. its end for receiving various kinds of tools.

Another object of the invention is. the provision Of an improved clamping connector of the class described, which is simple in construction, adapted to be manufactured at a low cost, durable and which may be removed from the line by means of high tension tools with a minimum amount of difficulty.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved clamping connector of the class described, which provides a. minimum amount of electrical resistance at the point of connection and which is. adapted to clamp the conductors uniformly substantially without damage to either conductor, but with. a relatively firm and permanent electrical connection of low resistance.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which. similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings of which there are two sheets,

Fig. l is. a side elevational view in partial section, showing a U-bolt connector embodying the invention assembled with an adapter and tool which may be attached to a universal operating pole so that the connector may be handled on high tension lines by merely providing a new adapter and a new tool for the universal pole usually carried by linemen;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, with the connector in closed clamping. position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional. view taken on the plane of the line. 3?-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the upper clamping member;

Fig. 5 is a. view in. perspective of the intermediate clamping member or spacer;

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of the lower clamping member;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of a, modification;

Fig, 1.0 is a. sectional view taken on the. plane of the line lllFl-ll of. Figure 1,.looking in the direction of the arro.ws; and

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on the plane of the line. lI.-Il.- of Figure 7, looking in the.-

direction of the. arrows.

Referring to Figures 1. to. 6,. the U-bolt con.- nector which forms the subject of the invention is indicated in its, entiretyby the numeral 23, and it. preferably comprises the following parts: U-bolt 2|, upper clampi g-member Z2, intermediate clamping. member. 23, lower clamping, member 24 spring. washers 2-5,. 26 and nuts 21, 28...

The U-bol-t 2| may consist of an. elongated cylindrical rod bent. tosubstantially U-form and provided with threaded ends 29, 30.. The U-boit may be made of any suitable metal, such as galvaniaed iron, or of. metal-o1 high electrical conducting properties, such. as. copper alloys or aluminum- The threaded end portions 29. and 30.- are pro vided with complementary nuts- 21 and 28 which engage standard spring washers 25- and 26:. The spring washers assure the holding of the nuts in permanent. positionagamst loosening by rattling, and the. spring. washers also serve to take up any looseness or space between the. clamping members and the conductors which may be due to wear or change of shape or other causes- To increase. the bearing surface of the. spring Washer 26 against the lower clamping member, this leg of. the, -U -bolt. is preferably provided with a Washer .2 T. The. twolegsof the u-bolt. may be. separately indicated by'the numerals 3| and 32, and the easy bend. 01' yoke. portion by the numeral 33.. V

The upper clamping member 22 is shown in top plan in Figure 4,..and' in cross-section in Figs Fig. 8 is an end elevational view of the modiure 3. It comprises a cast metal member which is adapted to fit inside the U-shaped bend 33 of the U-bolt 2|. For this purpose the top clamping member 22 is formed with a pair of halfcylindrical flanges 34, 35, located on either side of a half-circular groove 36, but the groove 33 extends about the -periphery of the top clamping member 22 in a half-circle and is a substantial fit with the inner surface of the U-shaped bolt at the easy bend 33.

The length of the top clamping member 22 is preferably such that it protrudes from both sides of the space between the U-bolt, and on its lower surface it has a substantially partially cylindrical groove 31 which has tapered inlet portions 38 at each end. The size of the groove 31 is such.

that there is substantially the same curvature for the groove 31 as the curvature of the conductors 39 and 4|] that are to be engaged by the connector;

In order to guard against the loss of the top clamping member 22, this top clamping member has its peripheral' flanges 34and 35 provided with radially projecting fingers 4|, 42. 43, 44. The characteristics of the metal and the thickness of the fingers 4|--44 are such that these fingers may be bent over the portion 33 of the U-bolt 2|, and thus the groove 36 for the U-bolt embraces more than half a circumference of the U-bolt. and the top clamping member 22 is secured to the U-bolt.

The intermediate clamping member or s acer 23 may consist of a cast metal member having a substantiallyrectangular central portion 45. the upper and lower fiat surfaces 46 and 41 of which are provided with transversely extending partially cylindrical grooves 48 and 49. Groove 48 is adapted to engage the bottom of the upper conductor, and groove '49 is adapted to engage the bottom lower conductor 40. Figure 2.

The rectangular body 45 of clampin member 23 is provided with a laterally extending pivot flange having a centrally located cylindrical throu h bore 5|. by means of which this clamoing member is pivotally mounted on the right le 3| of the U-bolt. The rectangular body 45 is also preferably provided on the side op osite to the pivot flange 59 with a stop flan e 52. which may comprise an outwardly tapered flange having a plane stop surface or shoulder 53 for enga ing the front side of leg 32 of the U-bolt 2| When the stop surface 53 engages leg 32. the groove 48 is in substantial alignment with the groove 31 in the upper clamping member 22, and both grooves extend at right angles to the plane which is defined by the axis of the U-bolt.

Referring to Figure 6, this is a view in perspective of the lower clamping member. It may comprise a cast metal member having a relatively thick body 54, witha plane upper surface 55'and a plane lower' surface 56. The upper su face 55 is provided with a transverse partially cylindrical groove 51. theends of which are enlarged. as shown at 58. This groove is adapted to en age the lower side of the lower conductor 49. Figure 2.

The body 54 has a triangular extension at the right of groove 51 (Figure 6) which is provided with a through borev 59, whereby this clamping member may be pivotally mounted on the righthand leg 3| of the U-bolt. At its opposite side.

surface, as indicated at 63 (Figure 1) so that the tapered surface 63 may serve as a camming surface, readily engaging under the conductor 49 and camming it upward until the conductor 49 rides into the groove 51, with the parts in the position of Figure 2.

ReferringtoFigures '7 to 8, these are views showing a" modification which differs from that describedwith-respect to Figures 1 to 6 as follows: In this case the U-bolt 2| may be identical in form and shape, but the upper clamping that is, toward the left of the'groove 51, the body 6| but adapted to engage and havea substantial member 64 has its peripheral flanges 65, 86 each provided with a single finger 61 or 68 for clampwashers 25, 26, may be identical with those 'of Figure 1.

and has a central groove 10 of similar form, but both of the end flanges are tapered in thickness at 1| and 12 so that groove 19 is located in a central relatively thick portion 13.

The tapered flange 1| has a through bore 14 9' whereby clamping member 69- is V pivotally mounted upon the U-boat 2|. The tapered flange 12 has a forwardly open partially cylindrical groove 15 (Figure Ill-which engages about the other leg of the U-bolt 2|: -The'central groove 10 (Figure 11)-is bordered by parallel ribs 16, 11. The lower surface 18 of the lower clampingmember is preferably plane to' give "'a maximum bearing surface "againstthe spring" washers 25, 26.

The intermediate clamping member 19, in this case, may consist of anelongated metal member of sufiicient width to pass between the legs 80, 8| of the U-bolt. This elongated inter mediate clamping member is provided with a lower groove 82"and an upper groove 83 of sufficient size to receive the conductors 84, 85.

This intermediate clamping member is not pivotally mounted on either leg of the U-bolt, but has a pair of laterally projecting stop members 86, 81 which 'engagethe legs of the U-bolt when this clamping member is inserted between the conductors 84, 85.

lation of the U-bolt connector.

Referring now to Figure 1; the U-bolt con-2 nector is shown here in connection with a tool assembly 88, which may be utilized with the serving as an insulator, and provided at its upper end with a tubular cast metal fitting having an axially extending disk with a threaded bore and a thumb bolt.

The disk has radial serrations or ridges and grooves for engaging the ridges and grooves 89,

disk formation 9| are clamped together. may be clamped in various angular positions.

The tool assembly 88 preferably includes Ha universal pole tool 93 and an adapter 94. The" ing this upper clamping member on the U-'bo1t The threaded portions 39, nuts 21, 28, spring The lower clamping member 69 issimilar in shape to that previously described,

Such insertion may be made by means of a suitable tool in the instaltoo1;93 includes thev supporting disk- 9l, just described, and a radially extending cylindrical body 95 provided with an axial bore 95' for receiving, the adapter.

The extension 95 is preferably provided with a set screw 91' threaded into a threaded bore in the wall of the extension 95, and protrudes into 7 the bore 96 to engage the shank 98 of the adapter 94. Thus the adapter may be secured to the universal tool 83 against rotation or against removal.

The adapter 9.4. is provided in order that the same tool 93 may be used for U-bolts having bolts of difierent sizes. Each adapter may con si'st of. an elongated cylindrical member having a socket 99" for the set screw 91,.the cylindrical member fitting in the bore. 96.

At its open or free end the adapter s4 is provided with an axial threaded bore I08, and the b'ore'HIO is complementary to the threaded ends 29' or 39 of the U-bolt. If a bigger U-bolt is to be employed an adapter will be used having a larger bore IE6 to fit the U-bolt. The adapter 94 is threaded on the end 29 of the U-bolt 2| until it engages the nut 21.

It should be noted that the adapter and tool are attached to the leg 3| of the U-bolt, which is the leg upon which the intermediate clamping member 23 and the lower clamping member 24 rotate, leaving the U-bolt open, as shown in Figure 1, for application to a pair of conductors.

One method of utilization of the tool assembly with the U-bolt of Figure 1 is as follows: A tap conductor 39 may be placed below the groove 31 in the U-bolt, and the clamping member 23 may be swung around to the position of Figure 2 below the conductor 39 for temporarily supporting the conductor. The conductor should have a laterally bent end portion for preventing it from sliding out of the U-bolt endwise. At this time the clamping member 23 will slide down on leg 31 until it is engaged with clamping member 24.

Assuming that the tool assembly 93 has been secured to the U-bolt and has been mounted upon a universal pole, the operator may then use the pole to lift the U-bolt and the tap conductor, the latter being supported above the clamping member 23. The U-bolt is placed over the line conductor and drawn downward by means of the universal pole. The line conductor 40 will then engage the lower groove A9 in the intermediate clamping member 23, and the downward force on the U-bolt assembly will cause clamping member 23 to slide upward into the position of Figure 2, being held by the line conductor 48. Then the operator may use some other appropriate line operating pole, such as a clamp stick or disconnect stick, to -rotate the lower clamping member 24 from the position of Figure l to that of Figure 2;

Thereafter, with the tool assembly 93 still holding the connector, a second universal pole may be provided with a socket wrench and the wrench may be applied to the nut 28 which may be tightened, driving the clamps 23 and 2 upward and clamping the conductors.

After one of the nuts 28 has been tightened the supporting tool assembly 93 may be removed from the other U-bolt leg 3i by turning the universal pole counterclockwise. This will remove the threaded socket lill) from the threaded portion 29 of the leg 3i. By this time the U-bolt may be supported with sufficient fixity on the conductor as so that socket wrenches may be applied to the nuts 21: and 28 to tighten both of these nuts until all of the space is taken up:

which would be occupied by the spring washers 25, 26 in their expanded condition.

The U-bolt is then tightly clamped on the;

conductors and the nuts are held by the springwashers. upv any slack that might occur between the clamping members and conductors, and the con clamping member is not pivotally mounted onv either bolt. The tap. wire 85, for example, Fig ure 10, should have its lower end. NH bent laterally so that the tapwire tends to pull the clamping member 19, into the U-bolt. Then the U-bolt,

and tap wire may be lifted exactly as described, and the clamping member 59. pivoted to, the position of Figure 7 after the U-bolt. has been hooked over the line conductor 84.

It will thus be observed that I have invented in improved U-bolt connector, the parts of which are so coordinated with respect to each other that there is very little possibility of any of these parts becoming lost. The U-bolt connector is adapted to provide a very tight and relatively permanent electrical connection between electrical conductors, which it clamps without damage to the conductors.

By means of the improved tool assembly this U-bolt connector can be manipulated with a universal insulating pole so that it can be applied without danger to an energized high tension line conductor. The clamping members which engage the conductors may be made of any suitable material, such as copper or aluminum alloys, depending upon the material of which the line conductor is made.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

In a U-bolt connector, the combination of a substantially cylindrical U-bolt member having both of its ends threaded, and said U-bolt member being bent to provide a partially circular yoke portion which supports a pair of parallel threaded legs, a threaded member on each of said legs, a lower clamping member comprising a cast metal member formed with an aperture for receiving the first leg whereby it is pivotally mounted on said first leg, said lower clamping member having a transverse open slot for engaging the other leg and having a relatively wide central portion with a substantially semicylindrical groove for engaging an electrical conductor, said lower clamping member having an upper surface tapering upwardly from said slot, an intermediate cast metal clamping member formed with a flat body of sufiicient thickness to be provided on its upper and lower sides with semi-cylindrical grooves for engaging elecs- The spring washers are ready to take- 7' trical conductors, said intermediate clamping member having means for engaging both of the legs of the U-bolt for maintaining it in alignment with the other two clamping members, and a third clamping member comprising a cast metal member formed with a central elongated body adapted to be received between the legs of the U-bolt and formed with a lower elongated groove opposing the upper groove in the intermediate clamping member, said third clamping member having its top and sides formed with a groove which is semi-circular in cross section for a sliding fit on the yoke of the bolt, the said latter groove extending peripherally about the upper part of the third clamping member in an arcuate direction complementary to the partially circular portionof the U-bolt, this clamping member being rotatable on the U-bolt about the center of curvature of the bent portion of the U-bolt, to adjust itself automatically to the best gripping position on a conductor located in its groove, the said third clamping member having outwardly extending fingers which embrace an outer part of the bent bolt portion to retain this clamping member on the U-bolt, all of the grooves in the said clamping members extending substantially at right angles to the plane in which the two legs of the U-bolt have their axes located.

HERBERT E. HOADLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

